Adams, Frederic C., Public Library · Public domainFEMA puts Kingston’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kingston gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, #50 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%), then hurricanes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 11 claims here since 1978.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What stands out about Kingston’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Kingston faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Hurricanes
Coastal flooding
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Kingston’s grade
River and rain flooding is 67% of the building damage FEMA expects in Kingston, and Kingston’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 82% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 10%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
A #50 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Kingston’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Massachusetts town has lower expected damage than 76% of U.S. towns; within the state, Kingston has less expected damage per building than 83% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.3M a year in losses across Kingston: $2.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Kingston flood? Sometimes: 11 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Kingston, from FEMA’s records: 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 63% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The “Halloween” storm1 claim · $6K
Kingston isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Plymouth County.13 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Kingston
Disasters that paid out in Kingston itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Kingston), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$105K to the Town of Kingston for repairs
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$33K to the Town of Kingston for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$198K to the Town of Kingston for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$26K to the Town of Kingston for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$26K to the Town of Kingston for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$86K to the Town of Kingston for repairs
Show all 13
- 2010Hurricane Earl$6K to the Town of Kingston for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding106 households applied for aid$115K aid approved$11K to the Town of Kingston for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$5K to the Town of Kingston for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$8K to the Town of Kingston for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$85K to the Town of Kingston for repairs
- 2003Snow$61K to the Town of Kingston for repairs
- 2003Snow$49K to the Town of Kingston for repairs
Plymouth County has had 25 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Kingston after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Kingston archive →Kingston and its neighbors
Kingston is 3rd of the 5 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pembroke | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Plymouth | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 334 |
| Kingston | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Plympton | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Duxbury | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 396 |
| North Plymouth | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| South Duxbury | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Kingston faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Kingston
Is Kingston at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kingston has lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #50 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%) and hurricanes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Kingston flood?
Flood insurance has paid 11 claims in Kingston since 1978, $310K in all, or 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 63% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from The "Halloween" Storm (1).
Is Kingston in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Plymouth County, 52% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 4.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Kingston?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Kingston’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Kingston?
By FEMA money that reached Kingston, Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding (2015): $198K to the Town of Kingston for repairs. By flood claims, The "Halloween" Storm: 1 paid, $6K.
Is Kingston at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (67%), and Kingston’s rate for it is lower than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Kingston.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Kingston’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.